The 10 vehicles with the best resale value in San Francisco

Plus, 10 cars to avoid if you're worried about depreciation

In the market for a used car? Here are the models that depreciate the most and the least in San Francisco after five years, according to the automotive research firm and search engine iSeeCars.com. First, the 10 that hold their value the most. less

In the market for a used car? Here are the models that depreciate the most and the least in San Francisco after five years, according to the automotive research firm and search engine iSeeCars.com. First, the ... more

Photo: Elise Amendola

Photo: Elise Amendola

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In the market for a used car? Here are the models that depreciate the most and the least in San Francisco after five years, according to the automotive research firm and search engine iSeeCars.com. First, the 10 that hold their value the most. less

In the market for a used car? Here are the models that depreciate the most and the least in San Francisco after five years, according to the automotive research firm and search engine iSeeCars.com. First, the ... more

Photo: Elise Amendola

The 10 vehicles with the best resale value in San Francisco

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The Jeep Wrangler is the most depreciation-proof vehicle in America, but if you're looking for a ride that will hold its value in the Bay Area, you're better off getting a Toyota or a Honda.

A new study by the automotive research firm and car search engine iSeeCars.com analyzed more than 4.3 million new and used-car sales to identify models with the lowest and highest loss in value after five years both nationally and specifically in San Francisco.

Purchasing a new vehicle that depreciates less than average is a wise move if you plan on selling it after five years, at which point the average vehicle loses 50.2 percent of its value, according to iSeeCars.

The cars that hemorrhage value the fastest over five years tend to be luxury sedans and electric vehicles.

"Government incentives play a role in the steep depreciation of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as their resale value is based off their lower effective post-incentive sticker price," says iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly. "Since the technology of EVs changes at a rapid pace, outdated technology also contributes to their dramatic depreciation as well as range anxiety and lack of public charging infrastructure."

Since luxury cars are often leased, a surplus occurs after 3-year-lease periods, lowering demand for the older cars. In addition, while they may see a dramatic drop from the showroom sticker price after five years, the cars are still relatively expensive and out of the range of many used-car shoppers.

In the above gallery are the 10 vehicles that retain their value the best in San Francisco and the 10 that depreciate the most.

Photo: ISeeCars.com

Vehicles that depreciate the least nationally after five years, according to iSeeCars.com.